Oceansize - Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up

Their hard-hitting, more instant fourth full-length harks back to 'Efflorescence' and we love it

If you thought Oceansize had lost their way with 07’s ‘Frames’ (not that we did), then you’ll love their hard-hitting, more instant fourth full-length, a record that’s got more in common with their debut, 03’s ‘Effloresce’. The tracks ‘SuperImposer’, ‘A Penny’s Weight’, ‘Build Us A Rocket Then…’ and ‘Oscar Acceptance Speech’ prove that the three years spent holed up in their new studio has been totally worth it. Not that the other six tracks are far less superior though, these ones are just so good. Do you remember the first time you heard ‘Catalyst’ and that hairs-standing-up-on-neck feeling it gave you? That’s exactly what ‘SuperImposer’ does to you, only this time it’s harsher and heavier, with more off-beats and weird rhythms, while (somehow) being more melodic. ‘A Penny’s Weight’ is unlike anything the five-piece have ever done before, in that it’s only three-and-a-half minutes long and composed like a peaceful prog lullaby, all floaty vocals, string sections and guitar melodies. Speaking of strings, ‘Oscar Acceptance Speech’ has over three minutes of them, making the ending of the track one of the most epic things the band have ever recorded. Overall this album is Oceansize through and through, only there are subtle (but welcome) changes. Surely one of the finest records of 2010.